From Readers Digest February 2010 issue.  Article.  Weight Loss Secrets from Around the World.  India.

Get yourself all twisted up.

Most Americans respect yoga’s stress-busting and flexibility-enhancing power, but not many realize it facilitates weight loss.  In fact, a recent study found that yoga devotees have a lower body mass index (BMI) than other exercisers do.  There are probably multiple reasons.

Yoga is best done on an empty stomach and can build muscle (dependin on your preferred poses), which boosts your metabolism.    And it encourages mindfulness, which includes paying attention to whether you feel full.